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Benefits
The following benefits are offered to all full-time employees of the Town of Wake Forest. All insurance coverage becomes effective 30 days from employment date.
Medical
Medical Insurance – Blue Cross/Blue Shield of NC (BCBSNC)
The Town has two medical plans (PPO and HDHP plans). The Town pays for employee coverage – at $850.00/month for the PPO Plan and $700.00 for the HDHP Plan. BCBSNC administers both medical plans. As a covered member, you may choose to receive care from any primary care physicians and specialists listed in the BCBSNC directory without a referral. There is a $25 co-payment for office visits and $50 for specialists for the PPO plan. The PPO Plan has a total annual out-of-pocket maximum of $3,500 for single coverage and $7,000 per family per calendar year. The HDHP Plan has a total annual out-of-pocket maximum of $5,000 for single coverage and $10,000 per family per calendar year. Prescription drugs for both plans: $4 co-payment for generic (Tier 1), $40 co-payment (Tier 2), and $55 co-payment (Tier 3) for brand name drugs on the Preferred Drug List. For additional member information, go to bcbsnc.com.
Employee Contributions for Additional Medical Coverage
PPO Plan Bi-weekly Employee Cost |
| HDHP Plan Bi-weekly Employee Cost | ||||
Employee + Spouse |
| $150.00 |
| Employee + Spouse |
| $112.50 |
Employee + Child |
| $50.00 |
| Employee + Child |
| $12.50 |
Employee + Children |
| $100.00 |
| Employee + Children |
| $75.00 |
Family |
| $362.50 |
| Family |
| $300.00 |
If selecting the HDHP, employees are also eligible to participate in the HSA (Health Savings Account). This account allows employees to pay for qualified medical expenses or leave the funds invested in the account for future medical expenses (tax-free). The Town contributes $1,000.00 to an employee’s HSA account when enrolled in the HDHP.
Dental Insurance – Delta Dental
Town pays for employee coverage. $1,500 per person annual maximum/plan year benefit, $50 annual deductible ($100 per family) when applicable. Pays 100% reasonable and customary charges for preventive services, 80% of charges for basic restorative services, and 80% of charges for major restorative services. Orthodontia is available for children up to age 19. For additional member information, go to Dental Insurance – Delta Dental
Employee Contributions for Dependent Dental Coverage
Bi-weekly Employee Cost
- Employee + Spouse - $25.33
- Employee + Child(ren) - $29.00
- Family - $40.96
Vision Insurance – Superior Vision
Optional coverage benefit. Benefits include a low $10 co-pay for the annual exam plus a $150 hardware benefit towards contacts or glasses. For more information, go to superiorvision.com.
Employee Contributions for Vision Coverage
Bi-weekly Employee Cost
- Employee Only - $4.49
- Employee + 1 - $8.71
- Family - $12.79
Life
Life Insurance – UNUM
Town pays for employee coverage. Employee Life Insurance is equal to 100% of employee's annual salary, rounded up to the next $1,000. (Example: Salary = $25,100; Life insurance = $26,000).
Short Term Disability – Municipal Insurance Trust
Town pays for employee coverage. Benefits begin on the 8th day of disability, maximum payment period of 26 weeks. Pays 60% current weekly salary with no maximum.
Long Term Disability – UNUM
Town pays for employee coverage. Benefits begin after short-term disability is exhausted and, if necessary, lasts until Social Security payments begin. Pays 60% current weekly salary with no maximum. Claims are reviewed every two years.
Supplemental Insurance - UNUM
Policies include: accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity and whole life coverage. Employee pays for employee and/or dependent coverage. www.UNUM.com or 1-866-679-3054
Pet Insurance - Nationwide
Fetch the best health coverage for your pet through your voluntary benefits package. With two budget-friendly options, there’s never a better time to sign up for My Pet Protection.
Ancillary
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Business Health Services
Provides short term confidential counseling with marital, financial, legal, alcohol, family or other concerns, for employees and their families at no cost to the employee. Twenty-four (24) hour emergency phone assistance and telephone sessions available. (919) 872-4786 or (800) 327-2251
Tuition Assistance Program
Full-time employees who have completed their initial probationary period may be reimbursed for one-half of eligible expenses up to a maximum amount of $2,500 per fiscal year for courses taken on the employee’s own time which will improve his/her skills for his/her current job or prepare him/her for promotional opportunities with the Town.
Remote Work
The Town offers remote working options for eligible positions within the organization. We currently have three remote work options: full remote, hybrid remote schedule, and flexible & varied. Eligible employees must complete training on the remote work policy and receive approval from their supervisor and director.
Financial
Local Government Employee’s Retirement System
Enrollment is mandatory upon the date of hire for all employees. An employee contributes 6% of gross earnings; the Town contributes 12.92% of total gross wages for general employees and 14.04% for Police Officers. The employee is fully vested after 5 years of creditable service. We also offer a Death Benefit in the amount of $25,000 - $50,000 to all active employees. nctreasurer.com
(877) 627-3287
*State Retirement – Combining the two (state & local) is best if you are vested in the system. When you retire, the state has a higher calculation in the retirement system than the local government. Ex. If you have 17 years with the state and 13 years with local government, you can retire with unreduced benefits from both. Also, with the state retirement plan, you receive free hospitalization. (If you are a state employee, please check your manual).
401(k) Retirement
The town contributes 5% of gross earnings upon the date of hire. Employees transferring from local or state government may continue voluntary contributions with Town contributions. All employees may add voluntary contributions by payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis. empowermyretirement.com . Please contact our Empower representative for additional information at 919.758.7370 or via email at lionel.gruslin@empower.com.
NC 457 Retirement Plan
Employees are eligible to enroll in this deferred compensation plan, available exclusively to North Carolina public employees. Features include 100% vesting, penalty-free withdrawals, and multiple investment choices. Employees may enroll as of their date of hire. More information is available on the website at empowermyretirement.com. Please contact our Empower representative for additional information at 919.758.7370 or via email at lionel.gruslin@empower.com.
NC 529 Plan
North Carolina’s National College Savings Program allows employees to open an account for anyone, including yourself. Use the funds for college expenses at virtually any college anywhere. Earnings grow tax-free, and withdrawals used for Qualified Higher Education expenses are exempt from both NC and Federal income taxes. The town of Wake Forest employer code is 02697; questions can be directed to CFNC.org/NC529 or by dialing 800.600.3453.
Flexible Benefit Administrators
Flexible Spending Accounts / Health Savings Accounts: To assist in saving money for health care costs, the Town of Wake Forest offers employees Flexible Spending Accounts through FBA. This program allows employees to set aside money on a pre-tax basis to cover medical-related expenses that are not otherwise covered under a traditional medical, dental, or vision plan. (Note: If you are enrolled in the HDHP, you will not enroll in the FSA for this plan year but are eligible to participate in a Limited Purpose FSA option. You will contribute funds to your HSA plan.) Flexible Spending Accounts also cover expenses related to Dependent Care.
Local Government Credit Union
All full and part-time employees have the opportunity to join the Local Government Employees Credit Union. As of current, the local branch is available at the State Employee’s Credit Union, located at 1116 Jenkins Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587. The website is lgfcu.com
Internal
Merit Increases
Full-time employees will receive a 5% pay increase upon successful completion of their introductory period. Additionally, the Town offers annual merit increases based upon performance and behavior measures. Merit increases will fall into one of two possible ranges, Developmental Range is for salaries below the midpoint, and Market Range is for salaries above the mid-point.
| Rating |
|
| Market Range |
| ||||
Not meeting Standards |
| 0% |
| 0% |
|
| ||
Further Development |
| 0% |
| 0% |
|
| ||
Proficient |
| 3% |
| 1.75% |
|
| ||
Highly Commendable |
| 5% |
| 3.5% |
|
| ||
Outstanding |
| 7% |
| 5% |
|
| ||
Merit increases, increase an employee’s annual salary unless the increase exceeds the maximum for a Pay Grade, in which case the increase will only be paid as a lump sum. Employees are eligible for merit increases on January 1st following one full year of employment.
Note: Part-time employees working less than 30 hours per week will be evaluated annually based on the part-time payment plan.
Holidays
The Town of Wake Forest recognizes Eleven annual paid holidays, following the same schedule that the State of North Carolina follows.
Vacation
Accrues bi-weekly. The maximum number of days an employee can accumulate is 30.
0-4 Years - 12 days
5-9 Years - 15 days
10-14 Years - 18 days
15-19 Years - 20 days
20+ Years - 21 days
Sick Leave
Accrues bi-weekly. Twelve days per year. There is not a cap on the number of days accumulated.
Additional Sick Leave
In addition to sick leave, at the beginning of the 15th year of active service, you will have an Additional Sick Leave account and accrue ten (10) days per month for the next 12 consecutive months. Beginning at the 25th year, you will accrue ten (10) days per month for the next 12 consecutive months.
Paid Parental Leave
After at least 12 months as a regular full-time Town employee who is FMLA eligible, you may request up to six (6) weeks of paid parental leave. Qualifying events include the birth of your child; the legal placement of a child with you for adoption, foster care, or guardianship; or the placement of a child with you for whom you permanently assume and discharge parental responsibilities (in loco parentis).
Paid Elder Care Leave
After at least 12 months as a regular full-time Town employee who is FMLA eligible, you may request up to six (6) weeks of paid elder care leave. A qualifying event includes the care of a parent, grandparent, spouse, or legal guardian.
Floating Holiday
As a regular full-time Town employee, you will receive one paid floating holiday per fiscal year that may be used for personal reasons such as religious observances, parent-teacher conferences, or to supplement vacation, sick, and holiday leave. This leave is available upon completion of your introductory period.
Management Leave
If you are hired as a regular full-time Town employee in a Fair Labor Standards (FLSA) exempt position, and you work beyond 40 hours in a workweek in service to the Town, you will be eligible for management leave, after successfully completing the six-month introductory period, at the sole discretion of your department director as approved by the Town Manager.
Funeral Leave
Employees are allowed 40 or 42 hours of paid leave per fiscal year based on the workweek associated with the employee’s position. Funeral leave does not carry over from one fiscal year to the next and is not transferable from one employee to another. This leave is available upon completion of your introductory period.
Volunteer & Community Leave Policy
Full-time employees with benefits with at least one (1) year of service to the Town may use up to four (4) hours per fiscal year to volunteer for service in the schools or in community programs.
Longevity
Longevity bonus based on employee's date of hire in full-time position based on the following schedule:
5-9 Years - $300
10-14 Years - $500
15-19 Years - $700
20+ Years - $1,000
Tuition Assistance Program
Full-time employees who have completed their initial probationary period may be reimbursed for one-half of eligible expenses up to a maximum amount of $2,500 per fiscal year for courses taken on the employee’s own time, which will improve his/her skills for his/her current job or prepare him/her for promotional opportunities with the Town.
Wellness Wednesdays
The last Wednesday of every month is Wellness Wednesday for all Town of Wake Forest employees. Employees are allowed to spend the last hour of their scheduled workday engaging in a wellness activity.
Direct Deposit
Mandatory for all employees. We are paid on a bi-weekly basis.